Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus

ABSTRACT

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to the embodiment includes an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a subject, and generates and displays images of the inside of the subject based on the reception results from the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a memory, a detector, a selection part, and a processor. The memory stores association information that associates positions in real space with examination conditions including image quality conditions and/or application type. The detector detects the position of the ultrasound probe in real space. The selection part selects examination conditions corresponding to the detected position based on the association information. The processor performs processing based on the selected examination conditions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2011-021601, filed Feb. 3, 2011; theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiment of the present invention is related to an ultrasounddiagnosis technology.

BACKGROUND

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus transmits ultrasound waves to theinside of a subject using an ultrasound probe, and acquires organisminformation of the subject by receiving the reflected waves.

Ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses are used in examinations of variousbody sites. In these examinations of body sites, different examinationconditions are applied in each case. Examination conditions refer tovarious conditions that are selectively applied based on the examinationtype (examination sites and examination details). Examples ofexamination conditions include image quality conditions andapplications, etc. Examination conditions are set in advance, and arealso referred to as “pre-sets”.

Image quality conditions (image quality pre-sets) are parameters foradjusting the image quality of ultrasound images being displayed.Examples include gains in received signals, dynamic range, input-outputrelations for brightness modulation, raster counts for raster smoothingprocesses, frame counts for frame smoothing processes, sound pressure oftransmitted ultrasound, transmission frequency, repetition frequency,frame rate, and scan sequences, etc.

Applications (application pre-sets) are application software that areselectively used according to the examination type. Examples includeapplications for cardiac examinations, applications for fetalexaminations, and examination protocols, etc. Applications for cardiacexaminations are used to analyze the size (area, volume, length, etc.)and wall motion, etc. of a heart during a cardiac examination.Applications for fetal examinations are used to analyze the size andcardiac function of a fetus during an examination of a pregnant female.Examination protocols define examination procedures and settingconditions according to the workflow of an examination, and may be setfor each hospital or each physician.

Image quality conditions for obtaining good images differ depending onthe ultrasound probe being used and the examination type. Applicationsare also used selectively according to the examination type, etc. Inconventional ultrasonic diagnosis apparatuses, by preparing tablesassociating examination types with pre-sets, pre-sets are usedselectively according to the examination type designated by the examinerat the start of an examination.

In ultrasound examinations, multiple body sites may be examined. In sucha case, the examiner re-selects a pre-set each time the examined regionis changed. This reduces the efficiency of the examination.

Thus, it is intended to provide with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatusthat enables multiple body sites to be examined efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outline block diagram showing the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an outline block diagram showing the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an outline block diagram showing the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations of the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an outline diagram showing a settings screen displayed by theultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an outline diagram for describing operations of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an outline diagram for describing operations of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operations of the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an outline diagram for describing operations of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an outline diagram for describing a variation of theembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to the embodiment will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

An example configuration of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus accordingto the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to the embodiment includes an ultrasoundprobe 1, a transmission part 2, a reception part 3, a signal processor4, an image generator 5, a display controller 6, a display part 7, acontroller 8, an input part 9, a memory 10, a detector 11, a selectionpart 12, and a generator 13. The transmission part 2, the reception part3, the signal processor 4, the image generator 5, and the displaycontroller 6 are collectively referred to as the processor 14.

For the ultrasound probe 1, a one-dimensional array probe in whichmultiple ultrasound transducers are arranged in one row in the scanningdirection, or a two-dimensional array probe in which multiple ultrasoundtransducers are arranged two-dimensionally is used. Moreover, amechanical one-dimensional probe may be used that causes multipleultrasound transducers arranged in one row in the scanning direction tooscillate in an oscillation direction perpendicular to the scanningdirection. The ultrasound probe 1 transmits ultrasound waves to thesubject, and receives reflected waves from the subject as echo signals.

The position of the ultrasound probe 1 is detected by the detector 11.As the details will be described later, the ultrasound probe 1 isprovided with a configuration for realizing position detection by thedetector 11.

The transmission part 2 feeds electrical signals to the ultrasound probe1 and causes it to transmit ultrasound waves that have been beam-formedto a prescribed focal point (i.e., that have been transmission beamformed).

The reception part 3 receives echo signals received by the ultrasoundprobe 1. The reception part 3 receives echo signals received by theultrasound probe 1, and by performing a delay process on the echosignals, converts analog echo signals into phased (i.e., reception beamformed) digital data.

The reception part 3 includes, for example, a preamp (preamplifier)circuit, an A/D converter, a reception delay circuit, and an adder thatare not illustrated. The preamp circuit amplifies echo signals outputfrom each ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe 1 for eachreception channel. The A/D converter converts the amplified echo signalsinto digital signals. The reception delay circuit assigns the echosignals converted into digital signals a delay time required fordetermining the reception directivity. The adder adds the echo signalsthat have been assigned a delay time. As a result of this addition,reflected components from the direction corresponding to the receptiondirectivity are emphasized. Received signals output from the receptionpart 3 are output to the signal processor 4.

The signal processor 4 includes a B-mode processor. The B-mode processorreceives the received signals from the reception part 3, and performsimaging of the amplitude information of the received signals.Specifically, the B-mode processor performs a band-pass filteringprocess on the received signals, and then detects the envelope curve ofthe output signals and performs a compression process on the detecteddata through logarithmic conversion.

The signal processor 4 may include a CFM (Color Flow Mapping) processor.The CFM processor performs imaging of blood flow information. Blood flowinformation includes information such as velocity, distribution, orpower, etc. and blood flow information is obtained as binarizedinformation.

The signal processor 4 may include a Doppler processor. The Dopplerprocessor retrieves Doppler-shifted frequency components byphase-detecting the received signals, and generates a Doppler frequencydistribution showing the blood flow velocity by performing an FFTprocess.

The signal processor 4 outputs the received signals that have undergonesignal processing (ultrasound raster data) to the image generator 5.

The image generator 5 generates ultrasound image data based on thesignal-processed received signals (ultrasound raster data) output fromthe signal processor 4. The image generator 5 includes, for example, aDSC (Digital Scan Converter). The image generator 5 converts thesignal-processed received signals shown in signal rows of the scanningline into image data represented in an orthogonal coordinate system(scan conversion process). For example, by performing a scan conversionprocess on the received signals that have undergone signal processing bythe B-mode processor, the image generator 5 generates B-mode image datashowing the morphology of the tissue of the subject. The image generator5 outputs the ultrasound image data to the display controller 6.

The display controller 6 receives the ultrasound image data from theimage generator 5, and causes the display part 7 to display anultrasound image based on the ultrasound image data. Moreover, thedisplay controller 6 receives a control from the controller 8, andcauses the display part 7 to display various screens and information.

The display part 7 is configured by a monitor such as a CRT or a liquidcrystal display. The display part 7 displays ultrasound images.Moreover, the display part 7 displays various screens and information.

The controller 8 controls the operations of each part of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus. In particular, the controller 8 receives selectionresults from the selection part 11, and controls each part included inthe processor 14. Moreover, the controller 8 writes and reads outinformation and data into and from the memory 10.

The input part 9 receives operations by the user, and inputs signals andinformation corresponding to the operation details into the controller8. In particular, the input part 9 inputs body-type information(described in detail later) of the subject. The controller 8 receivesthese signals and information and controls each part. Moreover, theinput part 9 may include a function for receiving inputs of signals andinformation via a network or media.

The memory 10 stores various information and data, as well as computerprograms. For example, the memory 10 stores association informationgenerated by the generator 13. This association information associatespositions in real space with examination conditions. The associationinformation has the format of table information, for example.Furthermore, the association information is generated before theimplementation of each examination. The process of generating theassociation information and controls based thereon will be describedlater.

Real space refers to actual space, and in particular, this includes thespace where the subject is arranged. Generally, the subject is placed ona bed in a body posture corresponding to the examination details. Inthis case, the real space is set to include the top surface of the bedand the surrounding space. Moreover, the real space may be set as therange in which the position detection by the detector 11 (describedlater) is possible. Furthermore, considering the fact that the subjectof detection by the detector 11 is the ultrasound probe 1 (or the scancross-section), the real space need only include the range of positionsof the detection subject during the ultrasound examination.

As described above, examination conditions refer to various conditionsthat are selectively applied according to the examination type.Examination conditions include at least either or both image qualityconditions and/or application type.

The detector 11 detects the position of the ultrasound probe 1 in realspace. This position may include the orientation (angle) of theultrasound probe 1 (i.e., the irradiation direction of the ultrasoundwaves). In this case, the detector 11 may be the to detect across-sectional position of the subject being scanned by the ultrasoundprobe 1. The cross-sectional position can be obtained based on theposition and orientation of the ultrasound probe 1. Moreover, ifinformation on the depth of the cross-section is required, this may becalculated by considering the determining factors of the invasion depthof the ultrasound waves in the body (i.e., the intensity and wavelength,etc. of the ultrasound waves). Furthermore, processes for obtaining thecross-sectional position from the position of the ultrasound probe 1 maybe performed by the detector 11, or may be performed by the selectionpart 12 or the generator 13.

The detector 11 is configured by including a position sensor such as,for example, a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor. If a magneticsensor is applied, for example, a magnetic field source that generates amagnetic field is provided in the ultrasound probe 1, and a detectorthat detects the magnetic field generated by this magnetic field sourceis arranged at a prescribed position in real space. If an optical sensoris applied, for example, a light source that emits light is provided inthe ultrasound probe 1, and a detector that detects light from thislight source is arranged at a prescribed position in real space. Ineither configuration, the detector obtains the position of the magneticfield source or light source in real space (i.e., the position of theultrasound probe 1 in real space) based on the detection results of themagnetic field or light as well as its own position in real space.

It should be noted that the detector 11 is not limited to these, and anyconfiguration may be used as long as the position of the ultrasoundprobe 1 in real space can be detected. The detector 11 feeds thedetection results of the position of the ultrasound probe 1 (or the scancross-section) into the selection part 12.

The selection part 12 receives the detection results of the position ofthe ultrasound probe 1 from the detector 11, and selects the examinationconditions corresponding to these detection results based on theassociation information. More specifically, the selection part 12 of thepresent embodiment receives the detection results of the position of theultrasound probe 1 from the detector 11, and selects the examinationconditions corresponding to these detection results based on thebody-type information input from the input part 9 and the associationinformation. The selection part 12 inputs the selected examinationconditions into the controller 8. The controller 8 controls theprocessor 14 based on the examination conditions input from theselection part 12. As a result, processing based on the image qualityconditions and application type shown in these examination conditions isexecuted. Furthermore, details of the examination-conditions selectionpart 12 will be described below.

The generator 13 generates association information based on informationinput from the input part 9. Details of the generator 13 will bedescribed later.

Configurations related to the generation of association information willbe described with reference to FIG. 2.

At the time of starting the process of generating associationinformation, no association information is stored in the memory 10. Atthe time of starting this process, as shown in FIG. 2, a standardcoordinate system list 101 and an examination conditions list 102 arealready stored.

The standard coordinate system list 101 is information associating thebody posture of the subject placed on the bed with standard coordinatesystems. Examples of body posture include a supine position (state oflying on one's back), a prone position (state of lying on one'sstomach), a right lateral recumbent position (state of lying on one'sright side), and a left lateral recumbent position (state of lying onone's left side). The standard coordinate system list 101 associateseach of these body postures with a standard coordinate system.

A standard coordinate system is a coordinate system that has beenpreliminarily set in relation to real space. The scale (length of a unitdistance in each coordinate axis) of the standard coordinate system ispreliminarily set based on, for example, standard body-heightinformation and standard body-width information. Standard body-heightinformation refers to a standard body height (e.g., mean body height).Standard body-width information refers to a standard body width. For thestandard body-width information, mean body weight, mean waistcircumference, mean chest circumference, or mean shoulder width, etc. isused. Furthermore, if information that does not directly represent bodywidth, such as mean body weight, is used, the body width correspondingto the mean body weight, etc. is obtained based on, for example,clinical data showing the relationship between body weight, etc. andbody width, and this is used as the standard body-width information.

Furthermore, if the subject is arranged on their side, the body widthinformation represents the thickness of the body. Consequently, in thisembodiment, body width refers to the length of the subject in thehorizontal direction perpendicular to the body-height direction of thesubject when they are lying down on a bed. In other words, in thisembodiment, body width may be the to refer to the length of the subjectin the width direction of the bed.

The examination conditions list 102 is synopsis information ofexamination conditions (image quality conditions and/or applicationtype) that can be applied by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatusaccording to the present embodiment. The examination conditions list 102may be synopsis information (a list) of multiple examination conditions,or may categorize multiple examination conditions. Examples of thiscategorization include the following: (1) categorization between imagequality conditions and application types; (2) categorization based onthe type of image quality conditions (gains in received signals, dynamicrange, input-output relations for brightness modulation, raster countsfor raster smoothing processes, frame counts for frame smoothingprocesses, sound pressure for ultrasound signals, transmissionfrequency, repetition frequency, frame rate, and scan sequences, etc.;(3) categorization based on application type (applications for cardiacexaminations, applications for fetal examinations, examinationprotocols, etc.); and (4) categorization based on body sites (chest,abdominal region, heart, liver, stomach, intestine, etc.).

These categories may be mutually exclusive, or may be categories basedon considerations of inclusive relations. Examples of exclusivecategories include categorization based on “chest” and “abdominalregion”. Moreover, examples of categorization based on considerations ofinclusive relations include the combined use of classifications for eachorgan (“heart”, “liver”, etc.) and classifications for each site(“chest”, “abdominal region”, etc.).

As described above, the generator 13 generates association information.The generator 13 receives information input from the input part 9 aswell as information representing the position of the ultrasound probe 1detected by the detector 11. Furthermore, the generator 13 reads outinformation stored in the memory 10. The generator 13 is provided with acoordinate-conversion-information generator 131 (first generator) and anexamination-conditions-information generator 132 (second generator).

The coordinate-conversion-information generator 131 generates thecoordinate conversion information 105 (first association information)shown in FIG. 3 based on information input from the input part 9. Theinput part 9 of the present embodiment inputs body-type information ofthe subject into the coordinate-conversion-information generator 131.Body-type information refers to information representing the body typeof the subject. The coordinate-conversion-information generator 131calculates the scale ratio between the standard coordinate system andthe subject coordinate system based on the input body-type information.Furthermore, the coordinate-conversion-information generator 131generates coordinate conversion information 105 based on the calculatedscale ratio.

The subject coordinate system is a coordinate system that is setuniquely for each subject. Each subject has a unique body type.Consequently, there is a unique positional relationship between theexamination site of the subject and the position of the ultrasound probe1 in real space. The subject coordinate system is generated byperforming coordinate conversion that takes into consideration thisunique positional relationship on the standard coordinate system.

An example method of generating the coordinate conversion information105 (i.e., a method of generating the subject coordinate system) will bedescribed. In the present example, body-height information and bodywidth information (body weight, etc.) of the subject is input as thebody-type information. This body-type information is input by operatinga keyboard or touch panel, etc. in the input part 9, for example.Moreover, the body-type information may be acquired and inputautomatically from electronic chart information of the subject. Ifapplying this configuration, the input part 9 includes a configuration(e.g., the controller 8) that retrieves electronic chart information.Furthermore, the mode of input for body-type information is not limitedto these.

Moreover, the input part 9 inputs the body-posture information of thesubject into the coordinate-conversion-information generator 131.Body-posture information refers to information showing the body postureof the subject during the examination. Body-posture information that canbe input includes the supine position, prone position, right lateralrecumbent position, and left lateral recumbent position, etc. describedin the standard coordinate system list 101. Thecoordinate-conversion-information generator 131 reads out the standardcoordinate system list 101 stored in the memory 10, and selects astandard coordinate system corresponding to the input body-postureinformation.

Furthermore, the coordinate-conversion-information generator 131 setsthe subject coordinate system based on the selected standard coordinatesystem and the input body-height information and body width information.An example of this process is described below. Furthermore, the standardcoordinate system is defined by two or three coordinate axes, includingthe coordinate axis in the body-axis direction (height direction) of thesubject lying on the bed and the coordinate axis in the body-widthdirection.

The coordinate-conversion-information generator 131 calculates the ratioof the body-height information of the subject relative to the standardbody-height information (the scale ratio of the body-height direction).Then, the coordinate-conversion-information generator 131 multiplies thevalue of the calculated scale ratio by the scale of the coordinate axisin the body-height direction of the standard coordinate system. As aresult, the scale of the coordinate axis in the body-height direction ofthe subject coordinate system is determined. The scale of the coordinateaxis in the body-width direction of the subject coordinate system isdetermined in a similar manner. In this way, the subject coordinatesystem is set.

Furthermore, if a three-dimensional coordinate system is used as thesubject coordinate system, an arbitrary coordinate axis set for theheight direction that is perpendicular to both the coordinate axis inthe body-height direction and the coordinate axis in the body-widthdirection is used. For this coordinate axis in the height direction, onethat is set in advance for the standard coordinate systems(three-dimensional coordinate systems) is used, for example. Moreover, aconfiguration may be used in which an input of body-type informationincluding the size of the subject in the height direction (i.e., bodythickness in the supine or prone position, or body width in the right orleft lateral recumbent positions) is received, and the scale of thecoordinate axis in the height direction in the subject coordinate systemis determined based on this body-type information and the value ofpre-set standard body thickness or body width.

The standard coordinate system, the scale ratios of the coordinate axes,and the subject coordinate system are in a relationship in which if anytwo are determined, the remaining one is also automatically determined.Furthermore, because the standard coordinate system is provided inadvance, the scale ratios and the subject coordinate system are in arelationship in which if one is determined, the other is alsodetermined. Consequently, based on the assumption that the standardcoordinate system has been provided, the scale ratios and the subjectcoordinate system can be considered as one. In other words,determination of the scale ratios and setting of the subject coordinatesystem can be considered the same.

Moreover, in the coordinate-conversion-information generator 131,standard position information in real space is input from the input part9. This standard position information indicates positions in real spacecorresponding to standard coordinates in the standard coordinate system.These standard coordinates are coordinates that act as standards forpositions in the standard coordinate system. A typical example ofstandard coordinates is the origin point of the standard coordinatesystem. Moreover, the movement range of the ultrasound probe 1 islimited, and because the range that can be detected by the detector 11is also limited, a standard coordinate system of limited size can beset. In this case, a prescribed position in the edges of the standardcoordinate system can be defined as the standard coordinates. Moreover,if the standard coordinate system is set based on standard body-heightinformation, etc., the position in the standard coordinate systemcorresponding to a prescribed body site (e.g., the umbilicus or thenose, etc.) in the standard body type may be defined as the standardcoordinates.

Examples of methods of inputting standard position information will bedescribed. In the first example, the abovementioned detector of thedetector 11 is placed at a prescribed position of the subject placed ona bed, and an operation for establishing this placement position as thestandard position is performed using the input part 9. In the secondexample, the detector of the detector 11 is arranged at an arbitraryposition in real space, and the displacement between the position of thedetector and the position corresponding to the standard coordinates (thedisplacement in the standard coordinate system) is obtained. Then, uponreceiving an operation on the input part 9, the position of the detectorand the displacement are input together as the standard positioninformation. Furthermore, if an operation for establishment using theinput part 9 is not necessary, a signal from the detector becomes thestandard position information. In this case, the detector functions asthe input part.

When standard coordinate information is input, it is possible toassociate a desired position in real space with the respective standardcoordinates (origin points, etc.) of the standard coordinate system andthe subject coordinate system. As a result, positions in real space areassociated with coordinates in the coordinate systems considered in thepresent embodiment. In this way, the input of standard coordinateinformation acts to associate real space with coordinate systems.Because the determination of scale ratios corresponds to coordinateconversion between the standard coordinate system and the subjectcoordinate system, the coordinate conversion information 105 is intendedto associate positions in real space with coordinates in the subjectcoordinate system, and is also intended to associate positions in realspace with coordinates in the standard coordinate system. Processes ofgenerating the coordinate conversion information 105 such as thosedescribed above are performed at the time of an examination (immediatelybefore an ultrasound examination, etc.) of a subject, for example.

The examination-conditions-information generator 132 generates theexamination-conditions information 106 (second association information)associating regions in the standard coordinate system with examinationconditions. This process is performed at an arbitrary timing before anexamination, for example.

The process of generating the examination-conditions information 106 isperformed by using or not using the ultrasound probe 1. If the processis performed without using the ultrasound probe 1, a prescribed displayscreen or a user interface of the input part 9, etc. is used. A specificexample of this user interface will be described later.

A similar user interface is also used when using the ultrasound probe 1.The user arranges the ultrasound probe 1 at a desired position withinreal space. The position of this ultrasound probe 1 (or the scancross-section position) is detected by the detector 11. The detectionresults are input into the generator 13. Furthermore, it is assumed thatthe abovementioned input of standard position information has alreadybeen performed, and association between real space and the standardcoordinate system has already been performed. Theexamination-conditions-information generator 132 identifies the regionwithin the standard coordinate system (examination region) thatcorresponds to the position of the ultrasound probe detected by thedetector 11.

In the first example of this process, multiple positions are designatedwhile moving the position of the ultrasound probe 1. The detector 11detects these multiple positions. The examination-conditions-informationgenerator 132 determines the coordinates within the standard coordinatesystem that correspond to each detected position. Furthermore, theexamination-conditions-information generator 132 determines a closedcurve that passes through the multiple determined coordinates. Thisclosed curve is, for example, a spline curve or a Bezier curve. Theregions enclosed by this closed curve become the examination regionsdesignated based on the multiple detection positions.

In the second example, circles are drawn with the coordinatescorresponding to each individual detection position of the ultrasoundprobe 1 in the center, and the regions enclosed by these circles aredefined as the examination regions. The method of setting the radius ofthese circles is arbitrary. For example, the user may designate adesired radius, or a default value for the radius may be used. Thisdefault value is set in advance according to, for example, the size ofthe subject (organ, site, etc.) being examined.

Furthermore, the examination-conditions-information generator 132associates each set examination region with one of the examinationconditions included in the examination conditions list 102. This processmay be performed manually by the user, or may be performed automaticallyby the examination-conditions-information generator 132.

As an example of a case of manual operation, the list of examinationconditions is displayed on the display part 7 as a pull-down menu, forexample. Then, by using the input part 9, the user designates thedesired examination conditions from the displayed list. At this time,instead of displaying all of the examination conditions included in theexamination conditions list 102, it is possible to selectively displayexamination conditions suitable for the body site corresponding to theexamination region. In this case, regions corresponding to each bodysite in a standard body type are set in advance in the standardcoordinate system. Moreover, the examination conditions included in theexamination conditions list 102 are categorized by body site (describedabove). The examination-conditions-information generator 132 identifiesthe region in the standard coordinate system within which theexamination region is contained, and displays a list of examinationconditions categorized under the body site corresponding to theidentified region. The user operates the input part 9 and selects thedesired examination conditions from the list. By performing theseprocesses for each examination region, the examination-conditionsinformation 106 is generated.

As an example of a case in which the examination conditions are selectedautomatically, examination conditions used in past (e.g., the previous)examinations of the subject are acquired from electronic chartinformation, and these conditions are also applied in the currentexamination. This example is likely to be useful when examining a singlesite multiple times, such as for follow-up observations and pre- andpost-operative observations. Moreover, it is likely to be useful alsofor cases in which examinations of specific body sites are mainly beingperformed, or for cases in which diagnosis of a specific disease isbeing performed. Another example will now be described. In this example,as with the case described for manual operation, when the examinationconditions included in the examination conditions list 102 arecategorized by body site, examination conditions corresponding to theexamination region are automatically selected. At this time, if there isonly one set of examination conditions corresponding to the examinationregion, this set of examination conditions is associated with theexamination region. If there are multiple examination regions, forexample, the disease name is acquired from the electronic chartinformation, etc., and examination conditions that should be applied topatients with this disease are associated. Furthermore, information(table information, etc.) in which disease names are associated withexamination conditions is stored in advance in the memory 10. Byperforming the above processes for each examination region, theexamination-conditions information 106 is generated.

If multiple examination regions have been set, several of thoseexamination regions may overlap. For example, after observing the entirechest with one set of examination conditions, if observing the heartwith another set of examination conditions, the examination region forthe heart is included in the examination region for the entire chest.Moreover, when examining the heart from different angles for example,the corresponding multiple examination regions will be partiallyoverlapped together. In such cases, it would be useful if it werepossible to set which examination region to observe with priority fromamong the examination regions with overlaps. For example, it would beuseful to be able to set an examination sequence when setting two ormore examination regions sharing a superimposed region, and tosequentially switch between examination conditions according to theexamination sequence. The following is a description of a configurationfor realizing such a process.

The user operates the input part 9 and designates a priority sequencefor two or more examination regions having a superimposed region. Thedesignation results are input from the input part 9 into theexamination-conditions-information generator 132. Theexamination-conditions-information generator 132 associates thedesignation results of the priority sequence input from the input part 9with the two or more examination regions and generates theexaminations-conditions information 106. The method of designating thepriority sequence will be described later.

During an examination, if the position of the ultrasound probe 1 isdetected by the detector 11, the selection part 12 (theexamination-conditions selection part 121, described later) determineswhether the coordinates corresponding to the detection position arecontained in the superimposed region. Furthermore, the coordinates ofeach examination region are already known, so this determination processis easy. If it is determined that the coordinates corresponding to thedetection position are contained in the superimposed region, theselection part 12 identifies the examination region of the highestpriority sequence from among the two or more examination regions, andselects the examination conditions corresponding to the identifiedexamination region. As a result, it is possible to examine thesuperimposed region using the examination region with the highestpriority sequence. Furthermore, the switching of the examination regionmay be performed by operating the input part 9, or may be performedautomatically according to the detection position of the ultrasoundprobe 1. As a result, it is possible to sequentially switch betweenexamination conditions according to the set priority sequence, and toexamine two or more examination regions having a superimposed region.

The association information created as described above is used duringexaminations. In the following, a configuration that operates duringexaminations is described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3,at the time of commencement of an examination, the associationinformation 100 is stored in the memory 10. The association information100 includes the coordinate conversion information 105 and theexamination-conditions information 106. Furthermore, the coordinateconversion information 105 associates position in real space withcoordinates in the subject coordinate system (and the standardcoordinate system). Moreover, the examination-conditions information 106associates examination regions in the standard coordinate system withexamination conditions. Consequently, by referring to the associationinformation 100, it becomes possible to associate positions in realspace with examination conditions through coordinate conversion betweenthe standard coordinate system and the subject coordinate system.

Based on the association information 100, the selection part 12 selectsexamination conditions corresponding to positions of the ultrasoundprobe 1 (or scan cross-sections) detected by the detector 11. Thisprocess is executed by the coordinate identification part 121 and theexamination-conditions selection part 122.

Based on the coordinate conversion information 105, the standardcoordinate system that has been preliminarily set with regard to realspace is converted into the subject coordinate system of the subject.The coordinate identification part 121 receives the detection results ofthe position of the ultrasound probe 1 from the detector 11. Thesedetection results are coordinates in the subject coordinate system. Thecoordinate identification part 121 identifies the coordinates in thestandard coordinate system that correspond to the coordinates in thesubject coordinate system based on the coordinate conversion information105. In other words, by converting detection regions of the ultrasoundprobe 1 using the coordinate conversion information 105, the coordinateidentification part 121 obtains coordinates corresponding to thedetection regions in the standard coordinate system. Information on theacquired coordinates is input into the examination-conditions selectionpart 122.

The examination-conditions selection part 122 receives the informationon the coordinates acquired by the coordinate identification part 121.Then, based on the examination-conditions information 106, theexamination-conditions selection part 122 selects examination conditionscorresponding to the examination regions in the standard coordinatesystem in which the coordinates are contained. This process is dividedinto a process of identifying the examination regions and a process ofselecting the examination conditions. The former identifies examinationregions in which coordinates identified by the coordinate identificationpart 121 are contained in the standard coordinate system. The latteridentifies examination conditions corresponding to the examinationregions identified in the former process by referring to theexamination-conditions information 106.

It is possible to monitor the position of the ultrasound probe 1 duringan examination and sequentially switch between examination conditions inaccordance with temporal changes in the position (i.e., with movementsof the ultrasound probe 1). For this purpose, the detector 11periodically detects the position of the ultrasound probe 1. In order tobe able to detect the position of the ultrasound probe 1 substantiallyin real time, the time interval for position detection is set byconsidering, for example, the movement velocity of the ultrasound probe1. This time interval may be set based on factors that affect themovement velocity of the ultrasound probe 1. Such factors includeindividual differences between users, or level of skill in theexamination, etc. Moreover, this time interval may also be setarbitrarily through a manual process. Moreover, this time interval mayalso be a prescribed default value. The detection results that are thusobtained periodically are input into the selection part 12 each timedetection is performed.

Each time detection results of the position are input from the detector11, the selection part 12 performs the abovementioned process ofselecting examination conditions. The selection part 14 sends theselection results for the examination conditions to the controller 8.Furthermore, the selection results may be sent to the controller 8 onlyif the examination conditions selected in this selection process differfrom those selected previously. The controller 8 controls the processor14 based on the selected examination conditions to causes it to executeprocessing according to the examination conditions.

By using such a configuration, if examination conditions identical tothose selected previously are selected, the processor 14 continues theprocessing according to these examination conditions. Alternatively, ifnew examination conditions different from those selected previously areselected, the processing based on the previous examination conditions isended, and processing based on the new examination conditions isstarted.

As described above, the processor 14 is configured by including thetransmission part 2, the reception part 3, the signal processor 4, theimage generator 5, and the display controller 6. Under control by thecontroller 8, each of these parts 2-6 performs operations according toexamination conditions selected by the selection part 12.

An example of operations of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus accordingto the present embodiment will be described. In the following, theprocessing executed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is dividedinto pre-processing and processing performed during examinations.Moreover, an example of the user interface will also be described.

An example of pre-processing is shown in FIG. 4. The pre-processinggenerates the common examination-conditions information 106 that doesnot differ between subjects. Pre-processing is performed at an arbitrarytiming before an examination, for example. When performingpre-processing, the subject does not have to be placed on the bed. Atthe start time of pre-processing, the standard coordinate system list101 and the examination conditions list 102 are stored in the memory 10as shown in FIG. 2, and the association information 100 is not yetstored.

First, the user operates the input part 9 to issue an instruction for asettings screen to be displayed. Upon receiving this instruction, thecontroller 8 reads out data for the settings screen (not illustrated)that has been stored in advance in the memory 10, and causes the displaypart 7 to display the settings screen (S01). This settings screen is auser interface used for displaying information required forpre-processing and for inputting information.

An example of the settings screen is shown in FIG. 5. Here, thedescription of the operational example is interrupted to describe theconfiguration of the settings screen 200. The settings screen 200 isprovided with an overall display part 210, a settings operation part220, a body-posture designation part 230, and a button part 240.

The overall display part 210 displays the body posture of the subject,the position of the ultrasound probe 1, and scan cross-sectionpositions. The overall display part 210 also displays a subject image211, a probe image 212, a cross-section position image 213, and anexamination site image 214, etc. Furthermore, at the time that thesettings screen 200 is displayed in step S01, these images 211-214 donot have to be displayed yet, or such standard information may bedisplayed.

The subject image 211 is a schematic diagram resembling a human body.The memory 10 stores subject image data in advance for each option forbody posture. The displayed subject image 211 is selected according tothe designation results for body posture from the body-posturedesignation part 230.

The probe image 212 shows the position of the ultrasound probe 1. Thedisplay position of the probe image 212 is determined based on thedetection results from the detector 11. Moreover, in cases such asperforming pre-processing without actually using the ultrasound probe 1,a configuration may be used in which the display position of the probeimage 212 can be changed using the input part 9 (e.g., a pointing devicesuch as a mouse).

The cross-section position image 213 shows cross-section positions ofthe subject being scanned by the ultrasound probe 1. As described above,the detector 11 of this operational example detects the position of theultrasound probe 1 and detects cross-section positions based on thosepositions. Moreover, in cases such as performing pre-processing withoutactually using the ultrasound probe 1, as with the probe image 212, itis possible to use a configuration in which the display position of thecross-section position image 213 can be changed using the input part 9.

The examination site image 214 shows a region in the overall displaypart 210 that is magnified and displayed in the settings operation part220. The examination site image 214 is displayed at the position in theoverall display part 210 corresponding to the position of the ultrasoundprobe 1. The display position of the examination site image 214 is, forexample, set for each relatively large category of body site (abdominalregion, chest, etc.). An example of a process for selecting anddisplaying the examination site image 214 may be: determiningcoordinates of the standard coordinate system from the detection resultsof the position of the ultrasound probe 1; identifying the body sitecorresponding to these coordinates; and selecting and displaying theexamination site image corresponding to this body site. Furthermore, thedisplay position and size of the examination site image 214 may be setin advance, or may be set arbitrarily by the user.

The settings operation part 220 is displays various information forsetting the association information 100. The details displayed in thesettings operation part 220 corresponds to the region contained in theexamination site image 214. The settings operation part 220 shown inFIG. 5 displays the cross-section position image 221. The displayposition of the cross-section position image 221 in the settingsoperation part 220 corresponds to the display position of thecross-section position image 213 in the examination site image 214.Furthermore, at the time of displaying the settings screen 200 in stepS01, the cross-section position image 221 is not yet displayed.

The body-posture designation part 230 is used for designating the bodyposture of the subject. As options for body posture, the body-posturedesignation part 230 is provided with a supine position button 231, aprone position button 232, a right lateral recumbent position button233, and a left lateral recumbent position button 234. Each button231-234 is a software key (icon). The user operates the input part 9 anddesignates the desired button 231-234. Examples of this designationmethod include click operations using a pointing device (notillustrated).

The button part 240 is provided with various buttons used for settingthe association information 100. The button part 240 of this operationalexample is provided with a peak setting button 241, a peak delete button242, a region setting button 243, a region delete button 244, a priorityraising button 245, a priority lowering button 246, and a pre-setselection button 247.

The peak setting button 241 is used for setting a peak for setting anexamination region. The peak delete button 242 is used for deleting apeak that has been set. The region setting button 243 is used forsetting an examination region. The region delete button 244 is used fordeleting an examination region that has been set. The priority raisingbutton 245 and the priority lowering button 246 are used for setting thepriority sequence (priority) of two or more examination regions. Thepriority raising button 245 is used for raising the priority sequence ofa specific examination region, and the priority lowering button 246 isused for lowering the priority sequence. The pre-set selection button247 is used for assigning a pre-set (examination conditions) to anexamination region. Each button 241-247 is a software key (icon). Byoperating a pointing device and clicking a desired button, for example,the user issues an instruction for the operation corresponding to thatbutton. With the above, the description of the configuration of thesettings screen 200 is ended, and we return to the description of theoperational example. Furthermore, for the user interface, the settingsscreen 200 is used.

As described above, at the time of displaying the settings screen 200,it is not necessary to display the subject image 211, the probe image212, the cross-section position image 213, the examination site image214, and the cross-section position image 221. By clicking any of thebuttons 231-234 of the body-posture designation part 230, the userdesignates the body posture of the subject (S02). In the presentoperational example, the supine position button 231 is clicked.

When the supine position button 231 is clicked, the controller 8 causesthe overall display part 210 to display the subject image 211corresponding to the supine position (refer to FIG. 5). Moreover, thegenerator 13 acquires the standard coordinate system corresponding tothe selected body posture (supine position) from the standard coordinatesystem list 101. The positions in the overall display part 210 areassociated with coordinates in the standard coordinate system.

Next, the examination region is set. As described above, the setting ofthe examination region is performed while operating the ultrasound probe1 or the input part 9 (pointing device, etc.). The present operationalexample describes a case of using the input part 9. Furthermore, if theultrasound probe 1 is used, instead of designating the position usingthe input part 9, the examination region is set based on the detectionresults of the position of the ultrasound probe 1 from the detector 11(S03).

The user operates the input part 9 to designate a desired examinationsite in the subject image 212 displayed in the overall display part 210.The controller 8 causes the examination site image 214 corresponding tothe designated examination site to be displayed. Moreover, thecontroller 8 associates the region enclosed by the examination siteimage 214 with the region in the settings operation part 220.

Furthermore, the user operates the input part 9 to set the examinationregion in the settings operation part 220. An example of this operationwill be described. Through a click operation of a pointing device, theuser designates a desired position within the settings operation part220. The controller 8 causes the cross-section position image 221 to bedisplayed at the designated position, and also causes the cross-sectionposition image 213 to be displayed at the corresponding position in theoverall display part 210 (refer to FIG. 5). Furthermore, the desiredposition in the subject image 211 may be designated.

The user determines whether the positions of the cross-section positionimages 213, 221 are suitable. This determination is made by referring tothe position of the cross-section position image 213 in the subjectimage 211, for example. At this time, in the subject image 211, imagesshowing the standard positions of various organs may be displayed. Ifthe designated positions are suitable, the user operates the input part9 and clicks the peak setting button 241. In response to this operation,the examination-conditions-information generator 132 records thecoordinates in the standard coordinate system corresponding to the scancross-section position.

By repeating the above processes, multiple scan cross-section positionsare recorded. Then, the user clicks the region setting button 243. Uponreceiving this, the examination-conditions-information generator 132obtains a closed curve (spline curve, etc.) that connects these scancross-section positions. Based on the obtained multiple scancross-sections and the closed curve, the controller 8 causes thecross-section position image 221 i (i=1 to M, wherein M is the number ofscan cross-section positions) and closed curve image 222 shown in FIG. 6to be displayed in the settings operation part 220. The region enclosedby the closed curve image 222 becomes the examination region.Furthermore, the display of the cross-section position image 221 i maybe omitted to display only the closed curve image 222.

Another method of setting examination regions will be described. Theuser sets a single scan cross-section position and clicks the regionsetting button 243. The examination-conditions-information generator 132sets a circular region having this scan cross-section position as itscenter and also has a prescribed radius as an examination region.Moreover, it is also possible to configure the examination region asdesignated through drag operations of the pointing device. Furthermore,it is also possible to use a configuration in which icons correspondingto examination regions of various shapes are provided in the settingsscreen 200 and the examination region is set through the designation ofa desired icon and the designation of the position and size of theexamination region.

By repeating the above processing, the user sets a desired number ofexamination regions. An example of the display mode at this time isshown in FIG. 7. In the settings operation part 220 of FIG. 7, threeexamination regions 2221, 2222, 2223 are displayed. The examinationregion 2221 is, for example, for broadly examining the abdominal region.Moreover, the examination regions 2222, 2223 are, for example, forexamining sites of particular note in the abdominal region. Furthermore,in FIG. 7, illustrations of the cross-section position images areomitted.

When the setting of the examination regions is completed, examinationconditions are assigned to each examination region (S04). For thispurpose, first, the user designates one of the examination regions2221-2223. This designation operation involves, for example, clicking adesired examination region.

Next, the user clicks the pre-set selection button 247. Upon receivingthis, the controller 8 selects examination conditions corresponding tothe designated examination region (e.g., the abdominal region) from theexamination conditions list 102, and causes the display part 7 todisplay a list thereof. The user clicks the desired examinationconditions from the displayed list. Theexamination-conditions-information generator 132 associates the selectedexamination conditions with the designated examination region.Furthermore, if it is possible to narrow down the examination conditionscorresponding to the designated examination region to one set (e.g., ifthere is only one set of corresponding examination conditions), theexamination-conditions-information generator 132 may automaticallyassign those examination conditions without displaying the above list.

The above processing is performed for each examination region. As aresult, examination conditions are assigned to each of the threeexamination regions 2221, 2222, 2223.

In the present operational example, because the set examination regions2221, 2222, 2223 have a superimposed region, a priority sequence is setas necessary (S05). As an example, the user clicks any examinationregion to set the priority sequence of this examination region by usingthe priority raising button 245 and the priority lowering button 246.Furthermore, if there is no superimposed region, it is not necessary toperform this step S08.

By associating each examination region set in step S03 with theexamination conditions designated in step S04 and the priority sequenceset in step S05, the examination-conditions-information generator 132generates the examination-conditions information 106 (S06). Theexamination-conditions-information generator 132 causes the memory 10 tostore this examination-conditions information 106 as the associationinformation 100. Furthermore, if selectively using multiple items of theexamination-conditions information 106 during an examination, each itemof the examination-conditions information 106 is assigned an ID, andthese are linked and stored in the memory 10. With the above, thedescription of pre-processing in the present operational example isfinished.

An example of processing during an examination is shown in FIG. 8. Onthe bed, the subject is arranged in a body posture for examination.Moreover, at a prescribed position (i.e., a standard position in realspace) of the subject, the detector parts of the detector 11 arearranged. The controller 8 reads out the examination-conditionsinformation 106 from the memory 10 and sends it to the selection part12. In the following, the examination regions 2221, 2222, 2223 shown inFIG. 7 are examined. For the priority sequence, the examination region2221 has the highest priority, followed by the examination region 2222and then finally the examination region 2223. For processing during anexamination, before an actual examination, a setting process unique tothe subject is performed. This setting process is for generating thecoordinate conversion information 105 of the subject.

First, the user operates the input part 9 to issue an instruction forthe settings screen 200 to be displayed. Upon receiving thisinstruction, the controller 8 causes the settings screen 200 to bedisplayed (S21).

From among the buttons 231-234 of the body-posture designation part 230,the user clicks the button corresponding to the body posture of thesubject during the examination (S22). The controller 8 causes theoverall display part 210 to display the subject image 211 correspondingto the designated body posture (refer to FIG. 5, etc.). Moreover, thecontroller 8 selects the standard coordinate system corresponding to thedesignated body posture from the standard coordinate system list 101.

Next, a standard position is designated. The standard position is aposition in real space corresponding to standard coordinates in thestandard coordinate system. In the present operational example, thedetector parts of the detector 11 are arranged at a prescribed positionof the subject, and furthermore, by operating the input part 9, thisprescribed position is established as the standard position (S23). Basedon the standard position information from the input part 9 (or thedetector), the coordinate-conversion-information generator 131associates the standard coordinates in the standard coordinate systemselected in step S22 with the standard position (the above prescribedposition) in real space. As an example of this process, if the detectoris arranged on the umbilicus of the subject, this position on theumbilicus is associated with the origin point of the standard coordinatesystem.

Next, body-type information of the subject is input (S24). The body-typeinformation of the present operational example includes body-heightinformation and body-weight information.

As described above, the standard coordinate system is set based on thestandard body-height information and the standard body-width information(standard body-weight information). Thecoordinate-conversion-information generator 131 calculates the ratiobetween the standard body-height information and the body-heightinformation and calculates the ratio between the standard body-weightinformation and the body-weight information. Furthermore, thecoordinate-conversion-information generator 131 generates the coordinateconversion information 105 based on these scale ratios (S25). Thegenerated coordinate conversion information 105 is stored in the memory10 as the association information 100.

An outline of coordinate conversion based on scale ratios is shown inFIG. 9. The standard coordinate system 300 uses the origin point 301 asthe standard position, and has a limited region corresponding to astandard body type. In other words, the coordinate axis 302 in thebody-axis direction has a length corresponding to the standardbody-height information, and the coordinate axis 303 in the body-widthdirection has a length corresponding to the standard body-widthinformation (standard body-weight information). For the coordinates inthe standard coordinate system 300, for example, the origin point 301 is(0, 0), and the top left, top right, bottom left and bottom rightcorners of the limited region are (−1, −1), (1, −1), (−1, 1) and (1, 1),respectively.

By multiplying the coordinate axes 302, 303 of the standard coordinatesystem 300 by the above scale ratios, the subject coordinate system 400is obtained. In other words, by multiplying the coordinate axis 302 inthe body-axis direction of the standard coordinate system 300 by thescale ratio for body height, the coordinate axis 402 of the subjectcoordinate system 400 is obtained. The coordinate axis 403 in thebody-width direction is obtained in a similar manner. The origin point401 is the intersection of the coordinate axes 402, 403.

As with the coordinates of the standard coordinate system 300, thecoordinates of the subject coordinate system 400 are defined so that theorigin point 401 is (0, 0), and the top left, top right, bottom left andbottom right corners of the limited region are (−1, −1), (1, −1),(−1, 1) and (1, 1), respectively. The coordinates (0, 0) of the originpoint 401 are associated with the standard position in real space (i.e.,the position of the detector) through the coordinates (0, 0) of theorigin point 301 of the standard coordinate system 300. Furthermore,this association is based on the standard position information. In thisway, the coordinate conversion information 105 of the presentoperational example incorporates the standard position information. Thesubject image 500 applies the scale ratios to the standard subject image211. Furthermore, in the present operational example, it is sufficientas long as the subject coordinate system 400 is obtained, and it is notnecessary to create the subject image 500.

The display mode of the overall display part 210 may be any mode thatallows the position of the ultrasound probe 1 (scan cross-sectionposition) relative to the subject to be recognized. Consequently, thesubject image 211 displayed in the settings screen 200 may be an imageshowing a standard body type, or it may be the subject image 500obtained by applying the scale ratios to this image. Furthermore,because the standard coordinate system 300 and the subject coordinatesystem 400 have been associated using the coordinate conversioninformation 105, regardless of which image is displayed, there is noparticular effect on the display of the overall display part 210.

In the present operational example, based on the coordinate conversioninformation 105, the coordinate system in real space is switched fromthe standard coordinate system 300 to the subject coordinate system 400.As a result, the subject coordinate system 400 corresponding to the bodytype of the subject placed on the bed is set in real space. Then,positions in real space obtained as coordinates in the subjectcoordinate system 400 are converted to coordinates in the standardcoordinate system 300 using the coordinate conversion information 105,and examination conditions are selected. After making the abovepreparations, the process shifts to the actual examination.

The user places the ultrasound probe I against the body surface of thesubject (S26). At this time, it is common to place the ultrasound probe1 in contact within the examination region 2221 that has the highestpriority sequence.

The detector 11 periodically detects the position of the ultrasoundprobe 1 (i.e., the scan cross-section) (S27). As a result, the detector11 monitors movements of the ultrasound probe 1.

The selection part 12 determines whether the detection region from stepS27 is contained within any of the detection regions 2221-2223 (in thiscase, based on the inclusive relations, the detection region 2221). Ifit is determined not to be contained in the detection region 2221, theselection part 12 stands by until the detection region is contained inthe detection region 2221. The user moves the ultrasound probe 1 so thatthe detection region is determined to be contained in the examinationregion 2221. Furthermore, in this case, prescribed examinationconditions may be set. Moreover, if the subject for examination has beenpreliminarily identified as the examination regions 2221-2223, theexamination conditions corresponding to the examination region 2221 thathas the highest priority sequence may be selected, for example.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the detection results of thescan cross-section position are contained in the examination region2221, the selection part 12 determines whether the detection region iscontained in a superimposed region. If it is determined not to becontained in a superimposed region (i.e., if the detection region iscontained in the examination region 2221 but outside the examinationregions 2222, 2223), the selection part 12 refers to theexamination-conditions information 106 and selects examinationconditions corresponding to the examination region 2221.

Moreover, if it is determined that the detection region is contained ina superimposed region, the selection part 12 identifies the examinationregion 2221 that has the highest priority sequence based on theabovementioned priority sequence. Then, the selection part 12 refers tothe examination-conditions information 106, and selects the examinationconditions corresponding to the examination region 2221 (S28).

The examination conditions selected by the selection part 12 are inputinto the controller 8. The controller 8 controls the processor 14 basedon the examination conditions. As a result, it is possible to perform anexamination of the examination region 2221 with the examinationconditions corresponding to the examination region 2221. At this stage,the examination is continued (S30: NO; S31: NO).

When the examination of the examination region 2221 is ended, theultrasound probe 1 is moved so that the scan cross-section position iscontained in the next examination region. The movement of the scancross-section position is detected by the detector 11 (S31: YES).Furthermore, in the present operational example, because the examinationregion 2221 that includes the examination regions 2222, 2223 is examinedfirst, it may be determined that the examination of the examinationregion 2221 has ended in response to an instruction from the user.Furthermore, changes in the examination region in subsequent stages maybe performed automatically in response to movements of the scancross-section position.

The detector 11 monitors movements of the scan cross-section position.In response to the scan cross-section position entering the examinationregion 2222, the selection part 12 selects corresponding examinationconditions (S28). The selection results are sent to the controller 8.The controller 8 causes the processor 14 to execute processing based onthese new examination conditions. As a result, the operational mode ofthe processor 14 switches from processing based on the examinationconditions for the examination region 2221 to processing based on theexamination conditions for the examination region 2222 (S29). Until thescan cross-section position moves to another examination region, thisprocessing is continued (S30: NO; S31: NO).

The detector 11 continues to monitor movements of the scan cross-sectionposition. In response to the scan cross-section position entering theexamination region 2223, the selection part 12 selects correspondingexamination conditions (S28). The controller 8 causes the processor 14to execute processing based on these new examination conditions, so asto switch the operational mode of the processor 14 from processing basedon the examination conditions for the examination region 2222 toprocessing based on the examination conditions for the examinationregion 2223 (S29). Until the examination of this final examinationregion 2223 is ended, this processing is continued (S30: NO; S31: NO).When the examination of the examination region 2223 ends, the processingof the present operational example also ends (S30: YES).

The effects of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

During an examination, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according tothe present embodiment stores the association information 100 thatassociates positions in real space with examination conditions. Thedetector 11 detects the position of the ultrasound probe 1 (i.e., thescan cross-section position) in real space. The selection part 12selects examination conditions corresponding to the detection regionfrom the detector 11 based on the association information 100. Theprocessor 14 performs processing based on the examination conditionsselected by the selection part 12.

According to this type of embodiment, it is possible to automaticallyswitch the examination conditions in accordance with the position of theultrasound probe 1, and it is therefore not necessary to re-selectexamination conditions each time the examination site is changed.Consequently, it becomes possible to efficiently perform examinations ofmultiple body sites. Furthermore, as described above, the examinationconditions include image quality conditions and applications. Byautomatically selecting image quality conditions according toexamination site, it is possible to obtain images of good quality whilemaking examinations more efficient. Moreover, by automatically selectingapplications according to examination site, it is possible toefficiently perform examinations according to the examination type orworkflow corresponding to the examination site.

Moreover, by periodically detecting the scan cross-section position, thedetector 11 of the present embodiment monitors movements thereof. Theselection part 12 selects examination conditions each time the detector11 performs position detection. In response to the selection of newexamination conditions different from the previous selection by theselection part 12, the processor 14 starts processing based on the newexamination conditions. According to this type of embodiment, inresponse to the ultrasound probe 1 being moved to another examinationregion, the examination conditions automatically switch to conditionscorresponding to the new examination region. Consequently, it is nolonger necessary for the user to make changes to the examinationconditions that accompany changes in the examination region, and itbecomes possible to make examinations more efficient.

Moreover, the association information 100 of the present embodiment isgenerated based on standard position information in real spacecorresponding to standard coordinates in the standard coordinate system,as well as on the body-type information of the subject. As a result, itbecomes possible to automatically identify examination conditionsaccording to the body type of the subject arranged at an arbitraryposition in real space. Consequently, it is possible to selectexamination conditions with a high degree of certainty regardless of theposition of the subject in real space or the body type of the subject.

A variation of the above embodiment will now be described. The followingvariation is related to the switching of examination conditions thataccompanies movements of the ultrasound probe 1.

The present variation is applied in cases in which there are adjacentexamination regions. (i.e., in cases which the first examination regionand the second examination region share a boundary, or in cases in whichthere is a first and second examination region that share a superimposedregion.)

By periodically detecting the position of the ultrasound probe 1 (thescan cross-section position), the detector 11 monitors movements of theultrasound probe 1. The selection part 12 identifies the examinationregion that contains the coordinates corresponding to the positiondetected periodically by the detector 11. Upon detecting that theidentified examination region has switched from the first examinationregion to the second examination region, the examination-conditionsselection part 122 determines whether the distance between thecoordinates corresponding to the position detected by the detector 11and the boundary of the first and second examination regions (or theboundary of the superimposed region) is equal to or greater than aprescribed distance. This prescribed distance is set in advanceaccording to the detection interval, etc. of the detector 11.Furthermore, in response to the distance becoming equal to or greaterthan the prescribed distance, the examination-conditions selection part122 selects examination conditions corresponding to the secondexamination region. Upon receiving this selection result, the controller8 switches the operational mode of the processor 14 to a mode for thefirst examination region to a mode for the second examination region.

An example of this processing will be described with reference to FIG.10. The two examination regions 601, 602 shown in FIG. 10 share asuperimposed region. Furthermore, the processing details are the samefor cases in which the examination regions are adjacent to each other.

Because the examination region 601 is part of the examination region602, the boundary between these regions is the boundary (i.e., the outerborder) of the examination region 601. A first switching boundary 611 isset at a position that is at a prescribed distance inside theexamination region 602 from the boundary. Similarly, a second switchingboundary 612 is set at a position that is at a prescribed distanceinside the examination region 601 from the boundary. Furthermore, thetwo “prescribed distances” may be equal, or they may be different. Thearrows A, B show the direction of movement of the ultrasound probe 1(the scan cross-section position).

If the ultrasound probe 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow A, theexamination region 601 becomes the above first examination region, andthe examination region 602 becomes the above second examination region.When the ultrasound probe 1 moving in the direction of the arrow Aexceeds the boundary of the examination region 601, the examinationregion identified by the selection part 12 switches from the examinationregion 601 to the examination region 602.

Subsequently, each time position detection is performed by the detector11, the examination-conditions selection part 122 calculates thedistance between the coordinates corresponding to the detection regionand the boundary with the examination region 601, and determines whetherthis distance is equal to or greater than the prescribed distance. Ifthis distance becomes equal to or greater than the prescribed distance,the examination-conditions selection part 122 selects examinationconditions corresponding to the examination region 602 based on theassociation information 100. Upon receiving this selection result, thecontroller 8 switches the operational mode of the processor 14 from amode for the examination region 601 to a mode for the examination region602.

Similarly, if the ultrasound probe 1 is moved in the direction of thearrow B, once the ultrasound probe 1 is moved a prescribed distance intothe examination region 601 from the boundary of the examination region601, the operational mode of the processor 14 is switched from a modefor the examination region 602 to a mode for the examination region 601.

According to this type of variation, it is possible to smoothly switchexamination conditions at the boundaries of examination regions.Moreover, it is possible to perform the examination of the examinationregion preceding the switch in examination conditions up to the boundarywith certainty.

Next, another variation will be described. In the above embodiment, whenexamination conditions corresponding to the detected position areselected, processing is performed based on the selected examinationconditions, but the selection examination conditions may be displayed onthe display part and provided for confirmation by the operator.

Moreover, in the above embodiment, a specific ultrasound probe was thesubject, but examination conditions (e.g. the image quality conditionsand application type) may be changed according to the probe type(convex, linear, sector, etc.). Further, while the above embodimentsdescribes selecting examination conditions based on detected positions,examination conditions may be selected based on a combination of theprobe used for imaging and the detected positions. Specifically, theprocedure may include: reducing the number of examination conditionsbased on the detected positions; and selecting one of the reducedexamination conditions using the probe used for the imaging etc.

Further, the procedure may include: reducing the number of examinationconditions based on the detected positions or the probe used for theimaging; displaying some reduced examination conditions; and selectingone of the examination conditions displayed on the display part 7 basedon the operation via the input part.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel systems described herein maybe embodied in a variety of their forms; furthermore, various omissions,substitutions and changes in the form of the systems described hereinmay be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. Theaccompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover suchforms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of theinventions.

1. An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that includes an ultrasound probethat transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a subject, andgenerates and displays images based on reception results from theultrasound probe, comprising: a memory that stores associationinformation that associates a diagnosis region of the subject withexamination conditions comprising at least one of image qualityconditions or application type; a detector configured to detect thediagnosis region based on the position of the ultrasound probe; aselection part configured to select examination conditions correspondingto the detected position based on the association information; and aprocessor configured to perform the transmission and reception and theimage generation based on the selected examination conditions.
 2. Theultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:an input part configured to input body-type information of the subject,wherein the association information includes: first associationinformation that associates positions in the real space with coordinatesin a subject coordinate system set for the subject; and secondassociation information that associates each of a plurality of pre-setregions in the standard coordinate system with the examinationconditions, and the selection part comprises: a coordinateidentification part that, based on the first association information andthe input body-type information, identifies coordinates in the standardcoordinate system corresponding to the position detected by thedetector; and an examination-conditions selection part that, based onthe second association information, selects examination conditionscorresponding to the region in the standard coordinate system containingthe identified coordinates.
 3. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the coordinate identification partidentifies coordinates in the subject coordinate system corresponding tothe detected position based on the first association information, andidentifies coordinates in the standard coordinate system correspondingto the identified coordinates in the subject coordinate system based onthe body-type information.
 4. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the detector is configured to periodicallydetect the position, the selection part is configured to select theexamination conditions each time the position is detected by thedetector, and when new examination conditions different from before isselected by the selection part, the processor starts processing based onthe selected new examination conditions.
 5. The ultrasound diagnosisapparatus according to either claim 2 or 3, wherein the detectorperiodically is configured to detect the position, and if a first regionand a second region from among the plurality of regions share a boundaryor include a superimposed region, the examination-conditions selectionpart performs: determining whether the distance between the coordinatescorresponding to the position detected by the detector and either theboundary or the boundary of the superimposed region is equal to orgreater than a prescribed distance, after the region containing thecoordinates corresponding to the periodically detected position switchesfrom the first region to the second region, and selecting examinationconditions corresponding to the second region when the determineddistance becomes equal to or greater than the prescribed distance. 6.The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an input part configured to input body-type information ofthe subject and standard position information in the real spacecorresponding to standard coordinates in a pre-set standard coordinatesystem; and a generator configured to generate the associationinformation based on the input standard position information andbody-type information.
 7. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus accordingto claim 2, further comprising: a first generator configured to set thesubject coordinate system based on the input body-type information andthe standard coordinate system, and to generate the first associationinformation based on the set subject coordinate system.
 8. Theultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the firstgenerator is configured to set the subject coordinate system by changingthe scale of the standard coordinate system based on the input body-typeinformation.
 9. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the scale of the standard coordinate system is preliminarily setbased on standard body-height information and standard body-widthinformation, the input part is configured to input body-heightinformation and body width information of the subject as the body-typeinformation, and the first generator is configured to calculate theratio between the standard body-height information and the body-heightinformation as well as the ratio between the standard body-widthinformation and the body width information, and to change the scalebased on the values of these ratios.
 10. The ultrasound diagnosisapparatus according to any one of claims 7 through 9, wherein the memorypreliminarily stores a plurality of the standard coordinate systemscorresponding to a plurality of body postures, the input part isconfigured to input body posture information of the subject, the firstgenerator is configured to select a standard coordinate systemcorresponding to the input body posture information from among theplurality of standard coordinate systems, to set the subject coordinatesystem based on the selected standard coordinate system, and to generatethe first association information for the subject coordinate system. 11.The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thememory preliminarily stores a plurality of the examination conditions,and the input part is configured to input standard position informationin the real space corresponding to standard coordinates in the standardcoordinate system, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus furthercomprising: a second generator configured to identify a region in thestandard coordinate system based on the position of the ultrasound probedetected by the detector and the input standard position information,and to generate the second association information by associating thisregion with any of the plurality of examination conditions.
 12. Theultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the inputpart is configured to input a priority sequence for two or more regionsincluding a superimposed region from among the plurality of regions, thesecond generator is configured to associate this input priority sequencewith the two or more regions to generate the second associationinformation, and if the coordinates corresponding to the positiondetected by the detector are contained in the superimposed region, theexamination-conditions selection part is configured to select theexamination conditions corresponding to the region ranked highest in thepriority sequence from among the two or more regions.
 13. The ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detector comprisesa magnetic sensor or an optical sensor.
 14. The ultrasound diagnosisapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position detected by thedetector comprises information on the position and orientation of theultrasound probe.
 15. An ultrasound diagnosis method that transmits andreceives ultrasound waves to and from a subject and generates images,including: storing association information that associates a diagnosisregion of the subject with examination conditions comprising at leastone of image quality conditions or application type; detecting thediagnosis region based on the position of the ultrasound probe;selecting examination conditions corresponding to the detected positionbased on the association information; and performing the transmissionand reception and the image generation based on the selected examinationconditions.